4 ms·

What's the actual change here? It seems like companies like Netflix, for instance, have been doing this for years - you can buy the service via the app store i

What's the actual change here? It seems like companies like Netflix, for instance, have been doing this for years - you can buy the service via the app store if you want, or you can buy it directly, but you can still use it either way. Netflix contacts its users about payments via email all the time. What's new?

lobo_tuerto 5y ago
Now you can do it too.
deleted 5y ago
[deleted]
a4isms 5y ago
Previously, there were two kinds of developers: Those prohibited from doing this thing, and those—like Netflix—who were fellow oligopolists with enough leverage that Apple allowed them to do this thing. Regardless of what we may think of Apple, its stated rules, or its motivations, the outcome was that “The rich got richer and the poor got poorer,” because Apple only applying these rules to smaller companies effectively created a moat to protect the existing incumbents with the leverage to skirt the rules. Now the playing field is still tilted in Apple’s favour—they own the orchard, after all—but it is no longer tilted in favour of its fellow oligopolists as well.
- smoldesu 5y ago
  In all fairness, it's still disproportionately easier for larger companies to develop apps. Look at Waze, for example. Waze uses OS-level APIs to interact with your hardware and provide a safe driving experience. Larger companies like Facebook and Google have no trouble accessing these APIs: their developer accounts are already entitled with a high number of permissions that a smaller developer would need to apply to use.
  - a4isms 5y ago
    "I have a marvellous summary of all the ways a FAANG has systemic advantages over a startup, however the 8GB of RAM on my laptop is not sufficient to document it completely."
yepthatsreality 5y ago
>What’s new? Innovation!
stetrain 5y ago
The difference is you have to go to the web and sign up for Netflix. That’s how they get your email. Previously an app wasn’t allowed to ask for your contact information, and then use that to email you about buying things outside the App Store. If your app just presents a sign in page like Netflix does then they didn’t have that issue. In theory this would allow someone to register for a free trial etc. in the app with an explicit opt-in to communications, and then the developer is no longer restricted email them about alternate payment methods.

lobo_tuerto 5y ago

Now you can do it too.

deleted 5y ago

[deleted]

a4isms 5y ago

Previously, there were two kinds of developers: Those prohibited from doing this thing, and those—like Netflix—who were fellow oligopolists with enough leverage that Apple allowed them to do this thing. Regardless of what we may think of Apple, its stated rules, or its motivations, the outcome was that “The rich got richer and the poor got poorer,” because Apple only applying these rules to smaller companies effectively created a moat to protect the existing incumbents with the leverage to skirt the rules. Now the playing field is still tilted in Apple’s favour—they own the orchard, after all—but it is no longer tilted in favour of its fellow oligopolists as well.

smoldesu 5y ago
In all fairness, it's still disproportionately easier for larger companies to develop apps. Look at Waze, for example. Waze uses OS-level APIs to interact with your hardware and provide a safe driving experience. Larger companies like Facebook and Google have no trouble accessing these APIs: their developer accounts are already entitled with a high number of permissions that a smaller developer would need to apply to use.
- a4isms 5y ago
  "I have a marvellous summary of all the ways a FAANG has systemic advantages over a startup, however the 8GB of RAM on my laptop is not sufficient to document it completely."

yepthatsreality 5y ago

>What’s new? Innovation!

stetrain 5y ago

The difference is you have to go to the web and sign up for Netflix. That’s how they get your email. Previously an app wasn’t allowed to ask for your contact information, and then use that to email you about buying things outside the App Store. If your app just presents a sign in page like Netflix does then they didn’t have that issue. In theory this would allow someone to register for a free trial etc. in the app with an explicit opt-in to communications, and then the developer is no longer restricted email them about alternate payment methods.